OmniVision Unveils New Cost-Effective Image Sensors For AR, VR

In short:OmniVision has announced two new global shutter image sensors that are now ready for market, the OG02B1B/OG02B10 and the OV9285. These are sensors that have been designed for Machine Vision applications, and therefore will cater to a wide spectrum of product possibilities, including augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) headsets. One of the most obvious benefits of these two new sensors is their position as cost-effective options.

Background: The need for more cost-effective sensors is a direct effect of the increase in demand for products that use these sensors, along with the need to drive down the price of the products to make them more accessible, and this is not just at the consumer level but also at the industry level. For example, while these sensors can be used in AR and VR applications, they can also be used in products relating to 3D modeling, industrial automation, robotics, and even agricultural drones. Of the two new sensors, the OV9285 is the most cost-effective and by association comes with a slight decrease in specs including a 1.48-megapixel sensor which supports a 1328 x 1120 resolution, video capture at 90 frames per second (FPS), and a 9-degree chief ray angle (CRA). In contrast, the new OG02B1B/OG02B10 sensor is designed for devices requiring a higher quality solution thanks to the inclusion of a 2-megapixel sensor which supports a 1600 x 1300 resolution and a 15-degree CRA. Unlike the OV9285, the OG02B1B/OG02B10 comes in two versions, one monochrome image sensor, and one color.

Impact: While these have now been announced as a solution for manufacturers to include in products for both industrial and consumer use, they are likely to result in some notable benefits to the end user. As the principle idea with these sensors is to be affordable while not necessarily compromising on image quality, and especially when it comes to image capturing that involves either fast-moving objects or those that are far away. One of the reasons cited for their improved fast-moving capture performance is that both sensors employ the company’s OmniPixel 3-GS technology which is specifically designed to reduce motion effects and blurring. All of the features mentioned are in addition to ensuring both sensors consume as little power as possible, reducing the burden on battery life.

John has been writing about and reviewing tech products since 2014 after making the transition from writing about and reviewing airlines. With a background in Psychology, John has a particular interest in the science and future of the industry. Besides adopting the Managing Editor role at AH John also covers much of the news surrounding audio and visual tech, including cord-cutting, the state of Pay-TV, and Android TV. Contact him at [email protected]